View the Technical Data for Ponton Diesel Models
Model 180
180 (a/b/c)190(a)
190(b)219 220a 220S 220SE Years 1953-62 1956-59 1956-59 6/54-4/56 1956-59 1958-60 Engine Type Inline OHC 4 Inline OHC 4 Inline OHC 6 Inline OHC 6 Inline OHC 6 Inline OHC 6 Engine # prefix M 136
M 121 (a/b/c)M 121 M 180 M 180.921 M 180 M 127 Displacement 1767cc (107.7 cubic in.)
1897cc (115.8 cubic in.)
(a/b/c)1897cc
(115.8 cubic in.)2195cc
(133.9 cubic in.)2195cc
(133.9 cubic in.)2195cc
(133.9 cubic in.)2195cc
(133.9cubic in.)Bore x stroke 75x100 mm
85x83.6 mm85x83.6 mm 80x72.8 mm 80x72.8mm 80x72.8 mm 80x72.8mm Compression ratio 180 - 6.7:1
180a - 6.8:1
180b/c - 7.0:17.5:1 (a)
8.5:1 (b)7.6:1 or 8.7:1 7.6:1 7.5:1 or 8.7:1 7.5:1 or 8.7:1 DIN Horsepower 52 or 65 hp 75(a) or 80hp (b) 85 or 90 hp 85hp 106hp @5200rpm 115hp @4800rpm Torque 11.4mkg@1800 rpm
13mkg@2200 rpm (a/b/c)13.9mkg @2800rpm (a)
14.2mkg @2800rpm (b)16 or 17mkg ? 17.5mkg @3500rpm 19mkg @3800rpm Fuel System Carburetor(s) (1) Solex 32 PICB
(1) Solex 34 PICB (b&c)(1) Solex 32 PAITA (1) Solex 32 PAATJ (1) Solex 32 PAATJ (2) Solex PAJTA Bosch Fuel Injected Grade Unleaded Regular Unleaded
Regular (a)
Unleaded
Premium (b)Unleaded Regular ?
Unleaded Premium Unleaded Premium Consumption 20.4 mpg
22.4 mpg20.4 mpg 16.2 mpg 24 mpg 17-20 mpg 18-20 mpg Reserve ? ? ? ? valve controlled valve controlled Capacity (US gallons) 14.8 14.8 14.8 17.0 16.9 16.4 Chassis Type Unibody; steel (all models) Chasis # prefix
W120 I
W120 IIW121 I
W121 IIIW105 W180 I
W180 II W128 Transmission 4-speed manual, column shift (all models)
Optional Hydrak automatic clutch (219, 220S, 220SE)Rear-axle ratio 3.89:1
3.90:1 (a/b/c)4.1:1 4.10:1
3.90:1 Aug '57 & on1:4.11 / 4.10 4.10:1 4.10:1 Steering Recirculating ball (all models) 18.5:1 (3.75 turns) 18.5:1 (3.75 turns) 21.4:1 (4 turns) 21.4:1 (4 turns) 21.4:1 (4 turns) 21.4:1 (4 turns) Rear suspension Swing axle w/coil springs Independent, by low-pivot swing axles, trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers (all) Front suspension Independent w/coil
springsIndependent, by double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers,
anti-roll bar Unequal-length A-arms, (all)Wheels 4.5x13 in. 4.5x13 in. 4.5x13 in. 13 in. 5x13 in. 5x13 in. Tires 6.40x13 in. 6.40x13 in. 6.40x13 in. 6.7x13 in. 6.70x13 in. 6.70x13 in. Wheel lug torque 110 Nm (81 lb-ft) Brakes Four wheel drum, servo assist (all except servo was option on 180 & 190) Empty Weight 2,640 lbs.
2,662 lbs. (a/b/c)2,728 lbs. 2,838 lbs. 2,820 lbs. 2,976 lbs. sedan
3,108 lbs. convert.3,020 lbs. sedan
3,214 lbs. convert.Electrical system General 12 volt, negative ground (all) except early 180, which was 6 volt Dimensions Overall Length 176.4 in. 176.6 in. (a)
177.2 in. (b)184.3 in. 186 in. 187 in. sedan
183.9 in. coup� & convert.Same as 220S Overall Width 68.5 in. 68.5 in. 68.5 in. 69 in. 68.5 in. sedan
69.5 in. coup� & convert.Same as 220S Overall Height 61.4 in. 61.4 in. 61.4 in. 61 in. 61.4 in. sedan
60.2 in. coup� & convert.Same as 220S Wheelbase 104.3 in 104.3 in. 108.3 in. 111 in. 111 in. sedan
106.3 in. coup� & convert.Same as 220S Track, front/rear 55.9/58.1 in. 56.2/58.1 in. 56.2/58.1 in. 56/58 in. 56.2 in./57.9 in. Same as 220S Ground Clearance 7.3 in. 7.3 in 7.3 in. 9 in. 7.3 in 7.3 in. Turning Circle 38 ft. 38 ft. 38 ft. 36 ft. 38 ft.
37 ft. convert.38 ft. Performance 0-100 km/hr. 31 sec.
21 sec. (a/b/c)20.5 sec. (a)
19 sec.(b)17 sec. ? 17 sec. 15 sec. Top speed 78.4 mph
84 mph (a/b/c)86 mph (a)
89 mph (b)92 mph 93 mph 99 mph 99 mph
Notes
- Additional equipment: Fitted luggage, two-tone paint, front bench seat (buckets are standard), reclining seats, whitewall tires, rear jump seat (coupé & convertible only), fabric or metal sunroof, Becker or Blaupunkt radio, Hydrak vacuum operated (automatic) clutch. All models available as RH (right-hand) drive, depending upon country of destination. Vehicles shipped for sale in the USA were required by U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) to be fitted with sealed beam headlights, white or amber "beehive" or "bullet" turn signals mounted below the headlights. Fender top turn signals were required to be white, but were often replaced with amber, which were more readily available.
- Pontons destined for certain regions were required to have small red reflectors mounted inboard of each tail light assembly and above the rear bumper. These are known as the Ulonite 105 reflectors.
- There appears to be great inconsistency regarding the application of U.S. D.O.T. requirements.
Documentation of Solex carburetor model numbers seem to suffer from typographical errors, or inconsistent translations from German (or French) into other languages.
If you have any facts or theories as to why the "I" versus "J" discrepancy exists, please contact the editor. / January 6, 2002
Examples
The 190b owner's manual lists the carburetor as Type 32 PAJTA. In other documentation, the correct carburetor for the 190b is the Type 32 PAITA
The 180b owner's manual lists the Type 34 PJCB carburetor. Other sources list the 34 PICB carburetor for the 180b
The question arises around the usage of the letter "I" versus "J." This discrepancy may stem from the fact that the Solex carburetor was made in Germany under license to the French Societe des Carburetors (Solex S.R.C.). Meaning, the more times the name was translated, the more chance there was for human error to enter in to the translation. Also, the J and the I are near each other on the typewriter, so the typographical error theory may have credence for another day. This theory was developed in January, 2002 after a reader of this page noted that the 190b owner's manual listed the correct carburetor as being the Solex 32 PAJTA. The table above lists the correct carburetor for the 190b as the 32 PAITA.
In January 2002, the issue was discussed by the members of the International Ponton Owners Group (IPOG) and the following observations were made:
The Mercedes CD-ROM workshop manual (Mercedes-Benz STAR Classic Service Manual Library Volume 2, part #P-2700-EV2-000 Version 1.0) lists the 32 PAITA as the correct carburetor for the 190b.
Another general observation was that the "I" and "J" are seemingly used interchangeably in Solex nomenclature for some "unknown" reason.
Glenn's MB Repair and Tune-up Guide lists the correct carburetor for the 190 and 190b as 32 PAITA, not 32 PAJTA.
Page 07-3/7 of the MB 180-220SE Service Manual describes the 220S carb as Type 32 PAITA, not 32 PAJTA.
Page 07-0/1 of the MB 190 Service Manual lists 32 PAITA, not 32 PAJTA.
If there is any question as to the correct Solex carburetor for your Mercedes-Benz Ponton, the carburetor model is embossed (raised) on the side of the unit. It is the advice of the editor that the carburetor model be verified before purchasing any carburetor rebuild kits. It is not necessary to remove the air cleaner housing to see the Solex carburetor model name on the Type 190 sedan.
Update: November 18, 2002
Reference: P. Olyslager Motor Manuals (volume 16) Mercedes-Benz 180a / 180b / 190 / 190b / © 1962 P. Olyslager
The Olyslager Motor Manual pp. 57, states, "The carburettor for the 190b (up to 1960 models) is a Solex twin-barrel down-draught carbrettor, model 32 PAJTA, which differs from the 32 PAITA mainly in the following respects:
The carburettor body incorporates a slot below the throttle valves, connecting the primary and secondary halves and the accelerating pump mechanism is modified so that fuel is additionally injected during the time the mechanically-controlled secondary throttle valve is being opened. The accelerating pump capacity is 1.4-1.6 cc per stroke. Adjust idle speed to 700-750 rpm.
Note: 190b engines of first production did not incorporate these modifications."
Table data (except for Type 220a) originally compiled by Ray Ilich from the following resources.
Further Acknowledgements and Notes
- Type 220a (W180 I) data: Mercedes-Benz the First Hundred Years / © 1986 Richard Langworth / ISBN: 0-517-38199-0
- Type 220a (W180 I) sedans had 2 Solex carburetors. The dashboard, window surrounds and interior trim were wood.
- Members of the International Ponton Owners Group (IPOG) who own 220a sedans contributed to the Type 220a data (October 2001)
- Thanks to Gilbert A. Hernandez (November 17, 2002) for finding and reporting on the passage in the Olyslager Motor Manual regarding the difference between the Solex PAITA and PAJTA models
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